Monday, February 14, 2011

a love letter

The Freewrite Friday prompt for this week was to write a love letter to someone. The twist was, it had to be someone who would never see it. This is mine.

loving Eli

Dear Joe,

I never told you, but I think you are the first boy who ever loved me. What I find so remarkable about it is that you loved me the way a man loves a woman. Not like a boy at all. You weren't selfish with your love. You weren't eager to show me off or brand me with a ring, a jacket, a kiss. You just loved me. You just wanted to spend time with me. You smiled every time you saw me. Every single time. You grinned when I laughed and it was a grin I never saw you give at any other time.

I just wanted to thank you for that.

Well, for that and for so many other things. For the way you patiently taught me to hit a baseball - and not like a girl. (You know, my stance is still terrific.) For teaching me all the things a country boy knows that this city girl didn't. To love hiking, to drive fast and crazy on big curves, to appreciate big old American cars, to climb haylofts and old silos just because they're there, to climb up on roofs and watch the stars come out on a summer night, to keep playing ball even after the sun had set because there's just nothing like a game among friends. Did you know you gave me so much? I bet you did. And I never thanked you. But I do now. Thank you, Joe. Thank you.

I cringe a little when I think back to the girl I was and how oblivious I was. You told me only once that you loved me and you did it in a poem you gave me one of the last times I ever saw you. A poem I still have, by the way. A poem I still treasure. I was silly then. And young. A girl where you were already a man; at least in matters of the heart. I wonder what I would have done if you had ever told me with words? You see, I thought then that love declared itself with pretty words and passionate glances across the room. I didn't know that real love is about giving. And sharing. About unselfishness. And laughing. And being good, good friends.

You were all those things to me. And I want to say thank you.

Because even though I didn't know it at the time. Even though I doubt you knew it either, you were teaching me about love. About what I should look for in a man. And, Joe, I found it. I did. Jeffrey is all that and so much more. He is my match in every way. He is my heart, my life, my center. He is all I ever wanted. And, in part, I owe that to you.

If you could read this, I know you would be happy. You would grin to know that Jeffrey is a country boy, too. And that he smiles every time he sees me. You would be happy that I am so well loved. Happy that I have learned to love unselfishly. Happy that I am so very blessed. If you could read this, I would want you to know that I love you, too. Thank you, my good friend. Thank you.

Happy Valentine's Day.
I pray you are loved as you deserve to be. Today and every day.

Love,
Relyn

The picture doesn't really match the post, but it sure matches the day. Happy Valentine's Day, my friend.

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Relyn, this breaks my heart! I'm so glad you found your true love but I grieve for this friendship. I have 2 of these also but am thankful for my wonderful husband and our 29 year marriage. You just make me think of the what if's for my girls and hope they make the right choices. Happy Valentines Day!

Anonymous said...

such a heartfelt letter...happy valentine's day!

Suz said...

Oh this was so nice
I'll bet it was a gift to yourself
in the writing of it
Joe, you knew a good one when you saw one

Char said...

so beautiful. these feel good, these letters.

Gigi Thibodeau said...

<3. Just <3.

Just posted something at my place. You are one of the reasons why I did. A little Valentine for you . . . from me.

xo g

GailO said...

Amazing...gripping...lovely..
Happy Valentine's Day to you Relyn!

Marilyn Miller said...

Oh, Relyn,
This is beautiful! We do have those past loves that taught us to laugh and love and "watch the stars come out on a summer night". Oh, yes! Just lovely!

Dutchbaby said...

This letter rings with authenticity Relyn! A beautiful expression of introspection. Happy Valentine's Day to you two love birds!

Gayle at Planet M Files said...

Oh my gosh, Relyn, this is so beautiful.

Lubna said...

Such a beautiful, sensitive letter, Relyn. I wish Joe could read find it and read it. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones.

Rozani said...

Relyn Hi, how are you?
Wow, what wonderful poetry! It is very
inspiring. Beautiful poetry for the day of
boyfriends. Here in Brazil the day of
Valentine's day is celebrated on June 12.
Well, happy Valentine's Day to you!
Kisses, Rozani

Anonymous said...

i love your letter to your old love! country boys are the best, aren't they?

happy valentines day....

Kathryn Glover said...

Hello Relyn. I'm new to you. What a beautiful love letter. Happy Valentine's Day to You. Come visit me, too.

Jennifer Richardson said...

altogether beautiful,
dear soulful Relyn.
Richly beautiful.
-Jennifer

S. Etole said...

What a very precious gift and letter ...

Anita said...

This is beautiful, Relyn.

Georgianna said...

Wow. I mean, Wow. How fantastic to acknowledge in such an open and honest way this long ago friend and how he has influenced your life. I was thinking that perhaps he might see it after all one day... That would be terrific. xo – g

Anonymous said...

this is beautifully written, as always. and isnt it great that we learn from our past and hold on somehow to the good of each experience?

Jeanne said...

I love your postings
I love you

cristie said...

better to have loved and lost...

wish i had experienced this. xox

Amy said...

Oh, I love this letter!

And I hope your Valentine's Day warmed your heart ...

Anonymous said...

I love the honesty of your letter, and the risk you took to express your thanks to this friend. It makes me remember that no love is ever wasted.

Nat said...

This is so lovely! Hope you had a good Valentine's Day and thanks so much for your kind message on my blog recently...
Nat x

Elizabeth Halt said...

What a heartfelt and sweet tribute to a day of love.

I hope he is as loved as you.

Happy Valentine's Day, dear Relyn! (It is a day later, but the love is always present.)

Rita said...

Wow, what a letter! I wish that Joe could read it. And what you have learned about love is more than most people ever know about it. I so love what you wrote here! I love you, my sweet Relyn!

Jeanie said...

Oh, Relyn -- Here I am, sneaking in a blog visit during a crazy day and I'm sitting at my desk (door closed) and there are tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat. I suspect there is a version of this letter that all of us could write -- unique, far different, but the same thought. I fear mine wouldn't be so eloquent.

snippets of thyme said...

I am really loving reading these letters of love. It is amazing how well everyone out there can write. I am constantly in an emotional state during the day because I will read someone's letter and then have to functional normally on the next task at hand! Beautiful letter. It certainly reminded me of a certain dashing frenchman who was in my live. I picked the country boy too.

Cathi said...

Such a beautiful letter and definitely one that I can relate to! Happy weekend to you! xxoo :)

Ragamuffin Gal said...

R ~
This is oh so very beautiful! Wonderful, fabulous writing my dear ~ you have such a gift, I adore and love your stories and letters like this one. I also love how you leave little notes all around my room that fall out unexpectedly and light up many a day! Love you ~ Me

gkgirl said...

This is fantastic....
Xo

Oldies, but Goodies